Just because MMA‘s top promotion, the UFC, is holding a daytime card with UFC 308 on Saturday, it doesn’t mean that you won’t have a busy night of competitive violence to enjoy. After the United Arab Emirates plays host to Dana White’s second pay-per-view of October, the scene shifts to Long Beach, CA.
Thunder Studios is the host venue for LXF 20 from Shawne Merriman‘s Lights Out Xtreme Fighting. Live coverage begins Saturday evening at 8 pm ET/ 5 pm PT on lightsoutsportstv.com with amateur prelims, continuing with the main card at 10 pm ET/ 7 pm PT.
All told, counting amateur and pro bouts, the final version of LXF 20 will feature a whopping 16-fight card. Although no championship will be at risk during the LXF 20 main event, the stakes will still be high.
Key Bantamweight Showdown in LXF 20 Main Event Saturday Night
Highlighting the night’s activities is a bantamweight fight pitting Ethyn Ewing (5-2 MMA, 3-0 LXF) and Brandon Carrillo (3-3 MMA, 1-0 LXF.) At stake: The No. 1 contender status for the division and a guaranteed title shot in the winner’s next fight.
This fight is an advertised maximum of three rounds at five minutes per round to close the show. As of Jan. 1, 2024, California State Athletic Commission policy regarding regional promotions mandates a three-round maximum for all fights during a show.
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LXF 20 Main Event Fighter Comparison
Heading into the LXF 20 main event on Saturday night, Ethyn Ewing stands as the taller man at 5-foot-8, compared to the 5-foot-7 frame of Brandon Carrillo. The latter owns a 68-inch reach, with no such information accessible for the former at press time.
Currently, the oddsmakers have yet to release money lines for LXF 20 on Saturday. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening in MMA this weekend, please wager responsibly.
Ethyn Ewing Looks to Run Winning Streak to Six
Ethyn Ewing has posted a mark of 5-0 in his last five fights dating back to January of last year. He’s also unbeaten at 3-0 since joining the LXF active roster last November.
Most recently, he scored a unanimous decision victory after three rounds against Brandon Gonzalez (4-2 MMA, 0-1 LXF), an alumnus of Combate Global, in LXF 18 on July 27 from the selfsame Thunder Studios in Long Beach, CA.
Ewing turned pro in MMA in October of 2020, making his debut during LFA 94 on the night before Halloween. Despite gaps between his first few fights, he’s had a consistent schedule inside the ring since August of 2023, including three fights between August and November of last year.
Any time a fighter can get back into the cage with regularity, like Ethyn Ewing has been able to do here, it’s a plus for his development, particularly in the early stages of a career. By the time the cage door closes for the LXF 20 main event this coming Saturday night, Ewing will have only had 89 days between contests. Can he win twice in under three months? Tune in and find out.
Carrillo Returns to LXF For First Time in 11 Months
In the other corner, Brandon Carrillo has posted a record of 2-3 in his last five MMA appearances dating back to April of 2022. A veteran of Bellator MMA and Cage Warriors, he’s fallen on hard times of late.
Coming into the weekend, Carrillo has lost two fights in succession, both in Graham Boylan‘s promotion. Back in June, he dropped a unanimous decision to Damon Wilson (7-2 MMA, 6-2 CWFC) during Cage Warriors 173 from Sycuan Casino Resort on UFC Fight Pass.
Brandon Carrillo’s last win came in November of 2023 in LXF 12 by submission against Gareth de la Cruz (7-5 MMA, 0-1 LXF) inside the first round. Could a return to Thunder Studios get him back in the win column?
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
With the LXF 20 main event being a battle for the No. 1 contender at bantamweight, expect the fighters to bring everything they have to the cage.
Ewing Has Excellent Ground Game
Ethyn Ewing can be brutal if and when the fight goes to the ground. During his final amateur fight versus Quintel Brooks, he ended the contest in devastating fashion.
About a minute into the first round, he executed a takedown and almost immediately took top mount, raining down vicious punches. The referee almost couldn’t run in quickly enough to stop the fight.
If Ethyn Ewing can drop Brandon Carrillo in the LXF 20 main event, he can put momentum on his side of the ledger in a hurry.
…But So Does Brandon Carrillo
In the other corner, Brandon Carrillo is pretty aggressive on the ground in his own right, as illustrated in his 2022 Gladiator Challenge fight vs. Eugene Murray. Throughout the opening round, Carrillo dumped Murray three times.
After the last takedown, Carrillo pounced on Murray to land a relentless burst of ground and pound shots, with the official waving the contest off in under two minutes. Brandon Carrillo’s key in the LXF 20 main event: Beating Ethyn Ewing to the takedown.
Final Thoughts
Don’t go to sleep early on Saturday night. The LXF 20 main event is reason enough to stay up late.
Prediction: Ethyn Ewing by First-Round Knockout.
